Jennifer Partezana Pakiz played volleyball for the Lipscomb Lady Bisons as a middle blocker. She has stayed close to the game as a high school volleyball coach. She visited the Lipscomb athletics department this week along with her family. She was gracious enough to spend some time with Lipscombsports.com.

What sport did you play at Lipscomb? What years? Who were your coaches?

“I played volleyball from 1999 through 2002. My first coach was Jeff Spivey. Annette Painer was an assistant. I also played for Kim Barham. Brandon Rosenthal was an assistant my last year on the team.

“I came to Lipscomb from Covington, Ind., which is north of Terre Haute. I graduated in 2003 with a degree in Biology Education.”

What is your fondest athletic memory at Lipscomb?

“Probably the road trips…being with the girls and having so much fun. We all got along. It was like a family.

“We started playing bigger schools in 2000. We lost a lot, but the trips were still fun.”

Who had the biggest influence on you during your athletic career at Lipscomb? How?

“Kristin Ryman. She is a very, very good friend to have. She is always there for me. We roomed together at one time. We were always together. She was in my wedding. I was in hers.

“She was the valedictorian of our graduating class. She was the top athlete by far of anyone I have ever played with. I respected her. I looked up to her. I tried to be more like her. She is amazing.

“We came to school at the same time to play volleyball. Even when I thought I was really busy she was busier because she played softball as well. It has been good to see her succeed so much.”

What is your fondest non-athletic memory from your time at Lipscomb?

“I was in Singarama. That was fun. I was a member of Delta Delta social club which I don’t think is here anymore.”

What is the most valuable thing you gained or learned from your time at Lipscomb?

“I am a science teacher. I teach high school chemistry and the sciences. I learned so much from Dr. Jon Lowrance, Dr. Larry Latson, Dr. James Arnett and Dr. Linda Roberson.

“Maybe I didn’t like it at the time because I had to study so hard. But it is helping me a lot in my career.

“I also coach volleyball. Brandon Rosenthal really helped me learn what to do and what not to do as a coach. I talk with Kristin Ryman a lot about coaching.”

Who was your favorite professor? Why?

“Dr. Jim Morgan was by far my favorite Bible professor. He was so fun. He told corny jokes and that is how I am. He made the Bible interesting and easy to understand.

“Dr. Jon Lowrance was my favorite science teacher. He was an extremely hard teacher. I didn’t necessarily do the best in cell biology. But he helped me learn that I needed to study harder. He pushed my limits as a student.

"Dr. Oliver Yates was also one of my favorites. When I was a student teacher he came to class and observed me.

“I am from Indiana. Both he and Dr. Lowrance were Southern. I had a hard time understanding them at first.”

Where do you live now?

“I live in Rockville, Ind., which is also north of Terre Haute. (Editor’s note: Rockville is known as the “Covered Bridge Capital of the World”).

Who is your employer? What is your occupation? What does your position entail?

“This is my seventh year at Rockville as a teacher and a coach. I spent two years at Battle Ground Academy as a science teacher and an assistant coach for volleyball and softball. I then went back up north where my family is from. “

Tell us about your family.

“I have a daughter, Amelia, who is 16 months old. We have another child coming in August.

“My husband’s name is Troy. He is a pilot for Republic Airways, which flies connection flights for United and Delta.”